July 5, 2009 Edward J. Gersten, 81, of Liverpool, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2009. He was born in Albany, New York, and was a graduate of Rensselear Polytechnic Institute and a member of Honor Societies Tau Beta Phi and Eta Kappa Nu. Edward was employed at General Electric as a radar design engineer and program manager from 1955 until his retirement in 1988. He was program manager for the development of the Marine Corps' Solid State Tactical Air Defense Radar TPS 59. The solid state transmitting technology developed in this program was applied to the U.S. Air Force's Solid State Air Defense Radar FPS 117. The two radars have been in wide use in the U.S. and other allied countries; the two programs have been the basis of the GE solid state radar business for 35 years. He was a ham radio operator with the call letters WB2MWW, a member of R.A.G.S., L.A.R.C. Elfun Society, Ancient Electronic Wizzards. He was a veteran of the Army Air Force, enlisting at the end of WWII and being recalled for the Korean War. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Gray Hawks Flying Club. Edward enjoyed golfing and loved animals. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Gersten; and twin sister, Elizabeth Katz. His wife of 60 years, Betty, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009. Surviving are his children, Katrina Anderson of North Syracuse, J. Daniel (Diane) Gersten of Cincinnati, OH, John (Laurie) Gersten of Liverpool, Edward C. (Carol) Gersten of North Syracuse, Andrew (Melissa) Gersten of Liverpool and Elizabeth (Scott) Tringali of Clinton, MA; brother, Mark Gersten of Glendale, AZ; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday from Maurer Funeral Home and 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, Liverpool, with burial to follow in North Syracuse Cemetery. Calling hours will be 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, 300 Second St., Liverpool.